Mets' Carlos Beltran tests left knee, plays catch, hits

Associated PressCarlos Beltran scores from second base on a hit by Daniel Murphy on March 6 in Port St. Lucie.

Carlos Beltran played catch and took batting practice today, the first baseball activity for the New York Mets’ outfielder in more than a week because of tendinitis in his left knee.

Beltran says he’s improving and still hopes to be in right field on opening day April 1. He’s appeared in just one game this spring, as the designated hitter.

“The pain is less — about 50 percent less than it was a week ago,” Beltran said. “They want that to get better and progress in that area later.

“It’s not going to be 100 percent out because tendinitis doesn’t get cured in a week. It’s going to get better,” he added. “I need to continue to train the quads and work and try to make the leg feel better, stronger.”

The switch-hitter took 75 swings in the batting cage, all from the right side. Beltran said the Mets told him not to hit yet from the left side, where more pressure would be on the left knee.

Beltran said he expects to have a similar workout tomorrow, strengthening his legs, doing some field work and possibly working out in the pool.

The 33-year-old Beltran has left knee tendinitis because he’s been compensating for his right knee. He was limited to just 64 games last season after right knee surgery in January 2010. He also missed 81 games in ’09.

With only two weeks left in spring training, Beltran is comfortable that he’ll be able to get ready for the season because hitting was part of his winter workouts. Running was not.

“I feel good that I was able to hit a lot in the offseason. I feel good hitting. Timing-wise it’s going to take time. But facing pitchers, I don’t feel weird,” he said. “I don’t feel like I need to work on a lot of things for me to feel good at the plate.”